Home /
Alternatives to Shopify /
Shopify vs Medusa
Shopify vs Medusa
A side-by-side look at Shopify (the paid SaaS) and Medusa (the open source alternative). Use this page to decide if the switch fits your team and workflow.
| Shopify | Medusa | |
|---|---|---|
| Tagline | Hosted e-commerce platform for online stores. | Open source alternative to Shopify for developers. |
| License | Proprietary SaaS | MIT |
| Pricing | Basic from $29/month plus transaction fees. | Free to self-host · optional paid hosted plan |
| Self-host option | No | Yes — difficulty 3/5 |
| Hosted cloud available | Yes (only option) | Yes |
| Desktop apps | Varies by product | Web only |
| Mobile apps | Official apps typically available | None official |
Ad slot — between tables
Best for
JavaScript-first teams wanting a modern headless commerce stack.
Medusa strengths
- Node.js-native — familiar for JS teams.
- Modular — plug in any storefront.
- Rapid community growth.
Medusa weaknesses
- Younger ecosystem than Saleor/WooCommerce.
- Some modules still maturing.
- Plugins community-driven.
What's the catch with Shopify?
- App ecosystem pushes costs higher than advertised.
- Transaction fees if you skip Shopify Payments.
- Checkout customization is limited on lower plans.
Still unsure?
Check the full list of alternatives to Shopify: see Shopify alternatives, or learn more about Medusa on its project page.